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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Forklift Fire Causes $15,000 Damage in Georgetown Building

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February 16— Seattle Fire Investigator determined a fire inside a Georgetown industrial building was an accidental fire caused by overheated electrical wiring in a forklift.

At 2:13 a.m., a 911 call came into the Fire Alarm Center from a security guard who saw smoke coming from the 2-story industrial equipment repair business. Georgetown’s Engine Company 27 arrived first and found heavy smoke coming from the roof of the warehouse. Crews made forcible entry and found heavy smoke inside the building. Firefighters located the flames coming from a forklift parked on the first floor of the building. It took about 20 minutes to completely extinguish the flames.

The fire investigator determined the fire started with overheated electrical wiring in a forklift which caused an engine compartment fire which ruptured a pressurized propane fuel line. The estimated loss is $15,000.

There were no reported injuries.

Overheated Extension Cord to Blame for 2-Alarm Fire in SODO says Seattle Fire Investigators

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May 8—An overheated extension cord is to blame for a two-alarm industrial building fire that burned into the morning hours in the SODO area of Seattle according to SFD Investigators.

This morning, Seattle Fire Investigators returned to the scene and determined the accidental fire began in a band practice room that was located between buildings in the 4000 block of 7th Avenue South.

The original 911 call came at 11:22 p.m. Engine Company 36 arrived to find heavy flames and smoke coming from a 2-story building with exposures to nearby buildings. A second building was full of heavy smoke and a third building was filled with light smoke.

The incident commander called for a second alarm which brought in more fire resources to battle the fire. Through their efforts, firefighters were able to contain the fire to just one building. It took crews nearly an hour to fully extinguish the flames.

Firefighters conducted a primary and secondary search of all the affected buildings but did not locate anyone inside.

There were no injuries.

The damage estimate is $100,000 to the structure, $25,000 to the contents and $160,000 to the exposed buildings. The total loss is estimated at $285,000.

SFD Public Safety Educators are advising citizens to use as few extension cords and plug adaptors as possible Also educators suggest residents avoid tacking extension cords to the wall, running cords under rugs or running extension cords through doorways. Make sure small appliances, like toasters, are unplugged when not in use.